Decomposers, Nutrients, and Matter Cycles

What is your name? (First and last name please.)

True or False: Worms only eat dirt.

• True

• False

What is the most important job of the earthworm?

• food for people

• as bait to catch fish

• to fertilize and mix up soil

Which is NOT true about earthworms' role in the environment?

• They mix and loosen up soil.

• They eat living plants.

• They break down decaying plant material.

• They release nutrients plants need to grow.

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We learned that earthworms do in fact eat. What are some examples of what they eat? (Pick TWO.)

• Dead leaves

• Living plants

• Rocks

• Dead plant roots

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Worms eat dead plants and

• drink pond water.

• small insects.

• then have a flower for dessert.

• turn them into plant food.

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True or False: Worms are the ONLY kind of decomposers.

• True

• False

A couple hundred years ago, people thought that earthworms must be

• gods.

• snakes.

• pests.

Earthworms are important to soil health and to plants growing in it because they

• put nutrients back into the soil

• turn soil into chocolate desserts which are enjoyed by humans

• eat insects that keep plants from growing

• create tunnels that prevent animals from attacking plants

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Besides earthworms, these organisms are also decomposers. CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY.

• mold

• fungi

• grass

• mushrooms

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